Perspectives on mental health for our aging population

Would it surprise you to hear that adults aged 65 and older have the highest rate of suicide of any age group?

While we have become increasingly aware of the effects that mental illness can have in our daily lives – how it affects our relationships, our ability to work and our ability to enjoy life, we may not often consider depression or mental illness as being part of the “golden years” of life.

Anxiety disorders, alcohol and substance abuse, and disturbances of sleep and sexual function are common mental health problems of late life. Forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s, can also contribute to a feeling of depression.

Often the later years of life bring with them loss of friends and loved ones; illness and pain; and loss of independence. Many seniors find it necessary to leave their homes, neighbors and familiar daily routines, and move to a long-term care environment.

We may think that, to a degree, it is “normal” to get depressed as we get older and face these difficult lifestyle changes. While some sadness is inevitable, is long-term depression a normal, unavoidable part of this process, or are there options for care that can help make these transitions more manageable?

Is it possible that there are underlying physical problems, that if treated can yield improved outlooks? What role does managed medications play in overall mental health?

My practice is focused on elder mental health with a specialization on long term care/nursing homes. Most elderly patients with these conditions do not seek out help, or they find it difficult to gain access to specialty mental health services. It is important to address late life mental health issues to ensure quality of life.

By increasing our awareness of mental health issues in senior citizens, and by supporting our elderly loved ones in reaching out for the support and treatment that they need, we can begin to bridge the gap between care needed and care provided.

While it is sometimes optimal to be able to access a geriatric trained psychiatrist, the first step can be as simple as enlisting the aid of your family physician or provider who already is familiar with your loved one’s past. Helping our elder loved one talk about their struggles can often be enough to get them on the path to living the rest of their lives more fully.